Faculty & Staff - Department of Anatomy & Genetics

Dr. Aftab Ahmed Shaikh, currently a Senior Lecturer in Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Al Faisal University Riyadh Saudi Arabia, since April 2011 to date. He has a teaching experience of more than 22 years mainly in Baqai Medical University and other Medical and Dental colleges of Karachi Pakistan. He delivers tutorial lectures, conducts labs: for gross & imaging Anatomy, facilitates the PBL and TBL sessions, prepares and reviews MCQs, SAQs and OSPE questions in respective blocks for undergraduate medical students. Being coordinator of department he is responsible for organizing and conducting the meetings.
Prior to his current assignment, Dr. Aftab worked as an Associate Professor and Head Department of Anatomy Liaquat College of Medicine and Dentistry, Karachi, Pakistan. Dr Aftab graduated with MBBS degree from Liaquat Medical College Jamshoro, Pakistan in 1989, and successfully completed his MPhil in Anatomy from Basic Medical Science Institute (BMSI) Karachi, Pakistan in 2005. His main research interest is drug induced liver injury. He continued his academic and professional accomplishments by attending various workshops and seminars in the field of Medical Education to meet the current need of teaching and facilitation. He has several publications in indexed journals. Currently he contributed in writing a chapter (what is the best assessment system in Anatomy?) in book "Education in Anatomical Sciences", published by Nova publishers New York (USA).

Dr. Muhammad Atif Mazhar is currently a senior lecturer in Anatomy department at Alfaisal University, Riyadh. He teaches Structural and Functional courses of Anatomy to undergraduate medical students. He has teaching experience of more than 22 years in Pakistan (Aga Khan University, Baqai Medical University). He did his MBBS from Jinnah Sindh Medical University Karachi and primary fellowship from college of Physician and Surgeons Pakistan. His main research interest is in Male infertility and erectile dysfunctions. He has keen interest in Cadaveric dissection and prosections. Recently he is working on Thiel embalmed cadavers. He has developed state of the art Anatomy resource centers in various medical schools .He is actively using TBL and PBL techniques in teaching Anatomy courses. He has attended number of international conferences. His recent endeavors are with University of Dundee Scotland regarding Thiel embalmed cadavers.

I cannot express the delight I experienced when I arrived back in Riyadh after nearly 15 years of absence. The sky line has certainly changed in ways that I could not have imagined, all those years ago. When I lived in Saudi Arabia from the years 1996 to 1998, I lived with my family, taking a hiatus in my career to raise my two sons.
Graduating summa cum laude from Medical School at Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, Szeged, Hungary, I am a Hungarian Physician with an American PhD from Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, NY, NY and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY, NY, USA.

After spending around 10 years of my career in different Neuroscience laboratories in Hungary and the United States I spent another 10 years of my career teaching Anatomy & Physiology in Hungary and the United States to undergraduate and medical students.

I cloned and characterized a protein, HuD: a Human Brain Paraneoplastic Antigen in the Neurology Department of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York City, USA.

You can find more details concerning this particular HuD protein on Wikipedia. The original HuD paper was published in Cell and hit the world. Its citation index is close to 500.

The discovery of HuD protein opened a new field in Neuroscience and many laboratories, including the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, are continuing the work that I started even to this day.

I also had the privilege of visiting the Department of Physiology at Keio University Medical School in Tokyo, Japan, where one of my sons was able to participate in a research team of the HuD protein. Even my son had the chance to work on HuD.

Currently, I am an assistant professor of Anatomy and I especially enjoy teaching Histology.

Dr Muhammad Faisal Ikram is a Senior Lecturer of Anatomy and Assistant Admin Director of Assessment Office at College of Medicine. He is a medical graduate and has earned his MPhil (Anatomy) in 2008 and DHPE in 2010. His primary expertise are in Neurosciences and Radiological Anatomy. He contributes in courses of Anatomy taught in undergraduate Medical curriculum at Alfaisal University. His primary research focus is on Epigenetics of Alzheimer's Disease and pedagogical principals, driving learning and assessment of a Medical Student. His current funded projects include assessment of factors governing gene silencing during Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) gene expression. Dr Ikram is also part of Assessment Office team, which is responsible for execution of assessment activities at College of Medicine. He serves as a reviewer at International Journal of Health Sciences. Dr Faisal has published papers and contributed to a book chapter in areas of Medical Education and Anatomical Sciences.

Dr Kashir completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Sussex, before completing his D.Phil. (PhD) at the University of Oxford. He then completed two terms as a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Oxford, and at Cardiff University, where he is also currently a Research Fellow working in collaboration with Professor F. Anthony Lai. Dr Kashir is currently an Assistant Professor in Clinical Embryology in the College of Medicine at Alfaisal University, where he is involved in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching. Dr Kashir is also a member of the team administering and organising the Clinical Embryology and Reproductive Biology (CERB) track of the Masters in Biomedical Sciences (MBS), run in conjunction with the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC), where Dr Kashir is also an Adjunct Scientist. Prior to his move to Alfaisal, Dr Kashir was also involved in contributing to the University of Oxford;s MSc in Clinical Embryology, where he developed a strong interest in teaching, and applying novel teaching methodologies to facilitate knowledge acquisition of students.

Dr Kashir's main research activities thus far have revolved around oocyte activation, a fundamental event at fertilisation when the fertilising sperm initiates embryo development by activating the female oocyte. Through a series of characteristic transients in oocyte calcium (calcium oscillations), which are thought to be initiated by a sperm-specific factor termed PLCzeta (PLCζ). As can be ascertained from his publication record, Dr Kashir's research has significantly supported the utilisation of PLCζ as an invaluable biomarker with which to examine sperm health, which may prove particularly useful for the refinement of routine methodology utilised within Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART).

Dr Kashir's research ambitions are geared towards understanding the fundamental molecular mechanisms that inexplicably link early fertilisation events such as oocyte activation, and the quality of embryogenesis. I am also interested in investigating the potential detrimental influence that routine assisted reproductive technology (ART) techniques may be exerting upon markers of sperm and oocyte, inadvertently damaging the fertilization capacity of such gametes. Indeed, human sperm contain over 1760 proteins thought to determine fertility, representing potential new biomarkers for male infertility, which can be correlated with pregnancy outcome. Dr Kashir's collaborative research has indicated that routine ART such as cryopreservation may inadvertently detrimentally affect the status of PLCζ within normally fertile sperm, reducing gamete quality. Not only would such research answer significant problems that currently persist within the reproductive sciences and cell biology, but also contribute towards improving the efficacy of current ART, improving patient care and ultimately, delivering a healthy baby to infertile couples, with high rates of success.

Dr. Ganguly is a Founding Faculty of the College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and is currently working as a Professor and Chairman of the Department of Anatomy since 2008.
Dr. Ganguly joined a highly reputed cardiovascular group in Winnipeg, Canada in 1982 as a post doctoral fellow of Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada after receiving his medical degrees in India (MBBS, Internship, Residency in Internal Medicine followed by MD). Dr. Ganguly was one of the promising faculty members of University of Manitoba who showed an exceptional dedication in research, teaching and service in cardiovascular community from the very beginning. His work on atrial natriuretic factor in diabetes (G-protein interaction in kidney basolateral membrane), catecholamine research in diabetes and brain changes in stroke due to hyperhomocysteinemia and excitatory amino acids received immediate recognition from both Canada as well the United States. He received the most prestigious awards from Rh Institute-University of Manitoba Canada; Merit award-University of Manitoba, Canada; Scholarship-Heart and Stroke Foundation, Canada; Young Investigator Award-Canadian Cardiovascular Society; Young Investigator Award-American College of Angiology; Gold Medal-International Society for Heart Research for his scholarly work in cardiovascular Sciences. He was invited to spend a year in Harvard Medical School, USA as a visiting Professor to work on chronically Instrumented technique in the Department of Internal Medicine. Till today, Dr. Ganguly published over 130 peer reviewed publications mostly in reputed journals having high impact factor and two well known books-Catecholamine and Heart Disease, CRC Press and Education in Anatomical Sciences, Nova Publisher. He receives periodically invitation world-wide for symposia, conference and meetings related to cardiovascular sciences. Dr. Ganguly had a primary appointment in the Department of Anatomy, University of Manitoba, Canada. His interest in medical education allowed him to visit McMaster University in the year 2000 and later to Arabian Gulf University, Bahrain where he spent several years as a Chairman of Anatomy. He established integrated anatomy resource session also in various places as Chairman of Anatomy. Recently, Dr. Ganguly received awards also locally from Alfaisal University as well Asian Leadership Organization, Dubai. As a Chairman of the assessment committee, he is currently engaged in research in medical education to establish a state-of-the art assessment system for college of medicine.

Dr. Obeidat was born in Amman, Jordan and attended medical school in Al-Mustansiriyah University in Baghdad. After completing the six-year program, he was awarded an MBBS degree in medicine and surgery. After completing a one year internship; he practiced as a physician at the ministry of health and the medical center of the Jordan University of Science and Technology where he was appointed as a physician and a teaching assistant. In 1999, Dr. Obeidat completed his PhD in neuroscience in the department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at Queen's University, Canada; with a dissertation on neuronal damage induced by Oxygen – glucose deprivation. He followed this work as a post-doctoral fellow at the neuroscience research institute in Ottawa University; before taking the position of an assistant professor in the Division of Clinical and Functional Anatomy in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Medicine in 2002. Dr. Obeidat received two "Center for University Teaching" grants from the University of Ottawa. One of the grants allowed him to develop digital radiology resources to be integrated in the first two years of the medical curriculum and the other was to develop 3 D- Anatomy tools. In 2003, he was voted the honorary president of the Aesculapian Society, a society composed of University of Ottawa undergraduate medical students. In May, 2004, Dr. Obeidat was one of the 16 winners of "The National Capital Educators' awards" in Ottawa. In December, 2004, Dr. Obeidat was awarded The University of Ottawa, School of Medicine Award for Excellence in Medical Teaching, presented by Bristol Myers Squibb Canada Co. In 2006, he moved to Saudi Arabia and joined, back then, the newly established, college of medicine at King Fahad medical City. He actively participated in the design of their integrated medical curriculum and left the college while he was the director of the examination center. In 2009 he joined, back then, the newly established, college of medicine at Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University in Riyadh as an associate professor in the department of basic medical sciences. Similarly, he actively participated in the design of their integrated medical curriculum and left the college while he was the director of Academic Affairs.
In September 2011, Dr. Obeidat joined Al-Faisal as an associate professor of Anatomy and Medical Education and was appointed to the position of the Director of the office of Quality Assurance and Accreditation.
Dr. Obeidat's areas of expertise include, neuroscience, teaching gross and neuro-Anatomy, problem-based learning, curriculum development and management, the change process in health professions education, program and curriculum evaluation and development, and faculty development.
Dr. Obeidat is involved in direct teaching and academic activities at the College of medicine at Alfaisal and also, directs the office of QA&A at the college to prepare the COM to meet the requirements of NCAAA towards accrediting the College. He chairs 3 committees at the college level and is an active member in 2 distinguished committees at the Universities level. He also serves as the General Secretary of the Riyadh branch of the Saudi Society for Medical Education.

Dr. Sadia Qazi is a lecturer of Anatomy in the College of Medicine. She has done her MBBS and MPhil in Anatomy, from Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi. Her Master's Thesis is in the area of male infertility. She is actively involved in teaching various courses of Structural and Functional anatomy to undergraduate medical students. She is also involved in Problem Based Learning (PBL) facilitation, Team based learning (TBL) and mentorship Programme. She has more than 10 years of teaching experience. She had received best teacher award for year 2009 from Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi. She has a keen interest in dissection and prossection. Recently she had worked on Thiel embalmed cadavers at University of Dundee, Scotland.

Dr Amna Siddiqui is a Lecturer in the Department of Anatomy in the College of Medicine, Al Faisal University, Saudi Arabia. She currently teaches courses
namely, Gross Anatomy, Histology and Radiological Anatomy to first and second year medical students. She is a member of Digital Anatomage Lab Committee (DALC) in the department
of Anatomy. She has M.B., B.S degree from Baqai Medical University, Pakistan. She also did PG certification in Medical Education from Cardiff University, UK.
She has five years of experience in teaching Anatomy to undergraduate medical and dental students. Her main research interest is in the areas of medical education.

Dr Ahmed Yaqinuddin is Assistant Professor of Anatomy and Cell biology at the Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine. He is a medical graduate and has earned his PhD
in Health Sciences (Anatomy) in 2008 from Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan. His primary research interest has been in studying the epigenetics of cancers. He is also interested in Medical Education research especially in curriculum design and implementation. His current funded projects include "Identifying novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for bladder cancer through whole genome methylation profiling".
He teaches gross anatomy, embryology and neuro-anatomy in the various organ system based block courses in the undergraduate Medical curriculum at Alfaisal University. He is also one of the lead tutors in the Cells and Biomolecules course in the Masters of Biomedical Science Program. Dr Yaqinuddin is also the Head of the Undergraduate Curriculum and Admission's committee at the College of Medicine. Dr Yaqinuddin serves as a reviewer for many peer reviewed ISI indexed Journals. He has published regularly in internationally reputed scientific journals and contributed to book chapters in areas of Medical Education and Anatomical Sciences.

Dr. Muhammad Zafar is currently an Associate Professor in Anatomy/Skill lab, College of Medicine, AlFaisal University Riyadh Saudi Arabia, since September 2011 to date. He delivers Histology, Embryology & General Anatomy lectures, conducts PBL & TBL sessions, prepares and reviews MCQs and SAQs in General Anatomy, Embryology and Histology to undergraduate medical students. He is the incharge of Simulation lab. And director of Professional-VI course delivered to year-3 Medical Students. He is also the COM representative for CSDU (Counseling & skill development unit).
Prior to his current assignment, Dr. Zafar worked as Professor of Anatomy at Faculty of Medicine, King Fahad Medical City Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for 4 years. Dr. Zafar graduated with MBBS degree from Liaquat Medical College Jamshoro, Pakistan in 1989, and successfully completed his MPhil in Anatomy from Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center Karachi, Pakistan in 1994. He continued his academic and professional accomplishments, and completed his doctorate (Ph.D.) in Anatomy from Baqai Medical University, Karachi Pakistan in 2002-2003, with his main research interest in "Effects of STZ on liver, pancreas and kidney". Dr. Zafar continued his academic achievements and became the visiting Professor at College of Physicians and Surgeons, Pakistan and Inspector of Anatomy for Pakistan Medical & Dental Council, Islamabad.
His professional teaching and training experience spans over 25 years in various undergraduate & post graduate medical & Dental institutions and hospitals in Pakistan, as well as in Saudi Arabia. Dr. Zafar has attended numerous national & international medical Conferences including oral and poster presentations and also attended workshops in medical education. To his credit, Dr. Zafar has written several publications in International Journals.